Data modeling is a method used to define and analyze data requirements needed to support the business processes of an organization. Ideally, the data requirements are recorded as a conceptual model that is not platform-specific (the logical data model) with associated definitions for the entities and attributes. This logical model can serve as the ‘information hub’ to help define and enforce consistency across enterprise data. From the logical model, multiple database-specific implementations can be generated (via physical models).

InfoSphere Data Architect (IDA) - formerly called Rational Data Architect (RDA) – is a great modeling tool for any shop that includes Informix Dyanmic Server databases in its mix. Even if you don’t have a ‘data architect’, this product can help DBAs communicate with developers and also help you keep tabs on what is and isn’t “real” any more (by comparing the model of what you think you have with what your database actually does have).

I recently updated a tutorial on using IDA specifically from the perspective of using it with IDS. There are several enhancements to the model elements for IDS in IDA 7.5.1: